Tuesday, July 18, 2006

The Lotus: chapter 2, Blossom


The Lotus takes on a new look when it blossoms. From a lilly-pad to a blossom to a flower, the plant changes. As it opens, a new perspective on the world and self unfolds...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Life Means So Much

I love being a dad. I love coming home and seeing my son turn and look. He smiles. Sometimes he'll giggle, too. Then he reaches out toward me with these outstretched arms. I can't but help go over to wherever he's at and pick him up. I pull him close, and I give him a kiss on the head. He'll push away and give me a grin. He's my boy, and I'm his daddy. We both know this.

I love my wife and child. They are the most precious treasures I have here on earth. They complete me. They force me to see things differently. I still love doing the things I did as a bachelor, but I treasure every moment I have with both of them. I enjoyed two mission trips I went on this summer, but I really wished they could have gone along with us. I hardly ever worried before, but now I say a prayer everyday that we all get through the day safely and healthy. I can't imagine us not being together as a family.

Chris Rice sings a song called "Life Means So Much." It is truly one of the most beautiful songs ever written in my opinion. Sure it's music is soft and slow...quite different from my alternative and punk music, but it's lyrics eloquently state the truth about life, its fragility, its fleetingness, and its beauty. It is a treasure. Life means so much. May each of us treasure every day we have and give ourselves to that which really matters.

"Life Means So Much" written by Chris Rice

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in
All we do is believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessing
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest, or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life
And don't you think giving is all
What proves the worth of yours and mine

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Every day is a gift you've been given
Make the most of the time every minute you're living